If you were harmed in a crash, you may have suffered significant injuries that require ongoing and extensive medical treatment. Medical care can be expensive, placing a financial burden on you and your loved ones.
However, you may be able to seek compensation to cover medical bills you have incurred while recovering from your injuries along with future medical expenses.
Below, we discuss how future medical expenses are evaluated and what it may take to prove the need for compensation to help pay for future treatment needs. Our attorneys are ready to review your claim and explain your available legal options during a risk-free, zero-obligation consultation.
Zero Upfront Fees Involved. Ph: (920) 260-4528.
What Future Medical Expenses Can I Claim?
After a crash, a settlement can include compensation for medical expenses and bills you incurred for your treatment.
It is important to note, once a claim has been settled, you will no longer be able to request more compensation from the negligent party. This can be troublesome if you have not yet made a full recovery and need additional treatment for your injuries. That is why it is important that your settlement fairly and accurately reflects the estimated costs of any future medical treatment.
Future medical expenses you may be able to claim include:
- Hospital stays
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgical costs
- Follow-up care
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Medical supplies
- Mobility equipment
- Home modifications
- In-home caregivers
Your claim can include all necessary and reasonable future medical expenses that you incur due to the crash. For instance, if you suffered a serious back injury, you may require additional surgeries and physical rehabilitation to make the best recovery possible, even though it may not be a full recovery.
Determining the Value of Future Medical Treatment
Determining how much future medical treatment could be worth is hard because you are placing value on something that has not happened yet. Generally, your attorney will wait until treatment has ended and you have reached maximum medical improvement before evaluating future treatment needs.
Certain factors often considered when it comes to future medical treatment needs include:
- Your age
- Life expectancy
- Your health before being injured
- Treatment goals
- Extent and severity of injuries
- Cost of completed treatment
- Effectiveness of treatments
- Alternative care options
There are different methods for determining what your future medical treatment may be worth. One of the benefits of having an experienced Oshkosh auto accident attorney on your side is that he or may could help determine an appropriate strategy for your claim.
Total Lifestyle Approach
This approach looks at all the related costs needed to maintain a quality of life that is close to what you had prior to the crash. This method may be used if you suffered a permanent disability, such a traumatic brain injury. Your attorney will need to consider how your injuries have affected your total lifestyle.
The total lifestyle approach may require testimony from medical experts to justify the cost of your treatment. Your attorney may also need to consult with a life-care planning expert.
Additional Expense Method
This method looks at the additional costs from your injuries. This method may be used if you suffered an injury that warrants a significant amount of medical treatment but may not affect you for the rest of your life. Perhaps you require multiple surgeries over years to repair spinal or nerve damage.
How Do I Prove My Future Medical Expenses?
You will have the burden of proving that future medical expenses are reasonably certain to be incurred. Your attorney can discuss your future treatment needs with your doctor. He or she may consult with specialists, physical therapists and other health care providers to determine treatments that may help you and how much these treatments may cost. This information will then be used to build your claim.
Reach Out to See How We May Be Able to Help
Sigman Janssen has decades of experience helping crash victims obtain compensation to help cover medical expenses and other related damages. To date, we have recovered millions of dollars on our clients’ behalf. This includes a recovery of $2 million for a crash victim who suffered orthopedic injuries.
Contact us today to find out how we may be able to help. The initial consultation comes at no risk, cost or obligation to you. There are no upfront fees to hire our firm. We only get paid if you get paid.
Call (920) 260-4528 for a Free Case Review.